Toshiba's WiFi-screen Tablet PC laptop

Toshiba was showing off that concept laptop we saw earlier this year -- you know, the one with a detachable display that communicates with its body by way of WiFi. It's also DLNA compliant so you can cruise around while watching video or interacting with your machine (so long as you don't get out of signal range). We got to handle the actual display part of the unit, and we have to confess, we fell a bit in love.

[Firewarrior @ Jan 7th 2006 1:41PM]

If they could make a one for Desktop that would just be past awesome but i love the Laptop Idea too GO TOSHIBA!

[Jordan @ Jan 7th 2006 1:57PM]

Wonder if we could hack-up a poor mans wireless monitor, for desktops using some sort of wireless functionality?

[Chris @ Jan 7th 2006 2:00PM]

This is based off of Microsoft's Smart Display ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/smartdisplay/default.mspx ) for the desktop computers. It's been out for a year or so but it never really caught on yet, but I suspect that was because of a severe lack of marketing on Microsoft and their partner's part. Rumor has it they'll renew this push after Vista comes out.



But this in Tablet form is just nice. Good job MS and Toshiba!

[Hamson @ Jan 7th 2006 2:06PM]

That's so cool. I remember seeing stuff like this in a New York Times article a couple years ago, and haven't really seen anything since. It's a great idea. I love Toshiba...

[Dennis @ Jan 7th 2006 2:07PM]

Yeah, Untill you lose your screen and you just have the rest :p a new screen would be very expensive. A normal laptop is just 1 part. The screen and the rest are 2. You could lose one of them easilier.

[Jeffrey @ Jan 7th 2006 2:16PM]

i think i may have just fallen in love too :-X

been wanting a tablet for a while, but when this comes out, i'm def. going to get it!

[Richard Harris @ Jan 7th 2006 2:19PM]

OK - so Microsoft had this idea a few years back and it flopped. Anyone remember Smart Displays (Mira)??



Wonder if this one will take off.....

[jsis @ Jan 7th 2006 2:20PM]

This already existed without the tablet functionality. In fact, it's on sale:



http://www.dynamism.com/m70/

[Ratteler @ Jan 7th 2006 2:39PM]

C'Mon!!! Let's get some real info... like is the Pen Wacom style and presure sensitive? If so you'll see one of these on ever comic book artists desk.



I don't just want "I'm in love!". Tell me what she's like in bed. ;-)

[Ty @ Jan 7th 2006 2:43PM]

Out of curiousity to those freaking out about this: what is the allure? I own a tablet, but have NEVER wanter to remove the screen. Ummm.... please describe the benefits. I only see that you could walk off and half a 1/2 functional device away from its other 1/2 greatly increasing chance of damage/theft.

[Escargot @ Jan 7th 2006 2:45PM]

Looks like something from Star Trek, only real. lol

[Chench @ Jan 7th 2006 3:03PM]

I think it may be time to retire my Toshiba 3505 tablet.

Ken

[Jeff Bridges @ Jan 7th 2006 3:24PM]

I'm in love, too. I want it. When will it come out?

[lando @ Jan 7th 2006 3:25PM]

make it touch-screen and gimme two.

[Rich Stoner @ Jan 7th 2006 3:35PM]

#9: I own a tablet as well (small convertible) and one big advantage I could see for this is being able to use slate-functionality without having to take the entire system out of a case or bag. I'd much rather carry a .3" thick screen that weighs < 1 kg than the full-size tablet that is 1" and weighs 2 kg+.



This technology seems like the next logical extension of the tablet pc interface.

[Gil @ Jan 7th 2006 3:37PM]

Functionality? That's simple:

1. Control - I build all kinds of stuff and most of it is computer controlled. If I'm in my lab I would love to have something lighter tied to a desktop capable of running the high power apps that eat battery on a laptop and allows me to control the machines.

2. Display - in the lab I can review the designs when I'm right next to the robot and not walk back and forth. If I'm in the kitchen cooking something I can use it do display recipes and if an e-mail/IM comes through I can read it realtime and respond while never leaving the kitchen. and more



All that in an easy light package cheaper than a tablet PC.



Where do I buy it?

[Dan @ Jan 7th 2006 3:41PM]

In reply to #9 The advanatage is that you don't have to carry around all of the guts of the computer with you. That means quieter, lighter, cooler.

[huan @ Jan 7th 2006 4:08PM]

Uh how does the screen get power?

and how long does the batter last?

could i theoretically leave the base(part with keyboard)

charging, and let the screen run out of juice?

O_o

[n8 @ Jan 7th 2006 4:17PM]

This is certainly interesting technology, but it's already been tested and failed. The Smart Display had a number of problems that led to its demise (which for those of you above who don't seem to know, is complete and final) but the main one was that there just wasn't much demand for it. I'm sure that there are advantages for some people (like Gil) but for the most part there just weren't enough people who were willing to pay the premium.



As for putting it on a laptop, that's kinda already been done too, though in reverse. The TC1000 and TC1100 have removable keyboards, which is basically the same idea. Still, tablet PCs are failing almost as badly as Smart Displays did, and for the same reason - there just isn't enough of an audience that's willing to pay the premium.

[Mr. Jones @ Jan 7th 2006 4:19PM]

I just did this to do this to my laptop but the screen just went black and doesnt want to work... any advice ?

[marco @ Jan 7th 2006 5:34PM]

*drool* i'd buy one if I had the cash...in a millisecond.

[fernando @ Jan 7th 2006 6:32PM]

uhm.. does anyone know what the video limitations are?? i mean- as far as frame rates and refresh rates, etc. totally lagless?

[Jeff @ Jan 7th 2006 7:34PM]

viewsonic has had wirelesss displays for some time now.

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/mobilewireless/wirelessmonitors



ive always wanted something like that.. in a 19" :D

[Apple Geek Fan @ Jan 7th 2006 7:42PM]

OH WTF OMFG COM ON NOW WERE IS THE FREAKING APPLE LOGO ON THE THING?> YOU STOLE APPLES IDEA I WHANT THE ONE FROM APPLE

[Deran @ Jan 7th 2006 8:08PM]

combine the display with truecolor e-paper and make it half the thickness and what do u have? sounds great, huh!

[hobgoblin @ Jan 7th 2006 9:43PM]

about smartdisplay. i thought microsoft sank that idea because they could not wrap their collective brains around a working licencing strategy.



the original smartdisplay tech allowed for one person to be logged onto the machine proper while someone else was using the smartdisplay. problem is that this is the same as a terminal server. and a terminal server requires 1 licence pr user iirc.



see the problem?

[Warren Frenkel @ Jan 8th 2006 12:47AM]

Cool...

great now when my battery gets shot i have to get 2 batteries!!! ahh...

[trev @ Jan 8th 2006 1:42PM]

Separating the display from the screen is a great way to cut down on weight.



I really don't get why tablet pcs in general arn't being marketed towards artists and graphic designers. This would be perfect for me! If the specs are decent enough Ide definetly consider buying it - providing I could actually afford it!

[trev @ Jan 8th 2006 1:53PM]

Well I feel clever



"Separating the display from the screen"



I of course meant that separating the screen from the base unit was a good idea ;)

[Scott @ Jan 9th 2006 12:02PM]

Been there, done that.



If you want this, why not just by a Motion LE1600 slate Tablet PC and convertible keyboard??? How is this better???



Because the Toshiba display is WiFi, you still have to carry the keyboard unit around--or have it nearby. I don't get the love affair...

[Daniel @ Jan 9th 2006 5:36PM]

1. What is the range from keyboard to display?

2. What is the battery life of the display?

3. How heavy is the entire unit?

4. Is the WIFI connection from keyboard to display secure?

[Dan C @ Jan 10th 2006 10:44AM]

You don't need the keyboard. Touchscreen functionality, you interact right on the screen. Think of this as a larger version of a PocketPC with full PC functionality, and you've got the right idea.

[Trev @ Jan 12th 2006 9:14AM]

"If you want this, why not just by a Motion LE1600 slate Tablet PC and convertible keyboard??? How is this better???







Because the Toshiba display is WiFi, you still have to carry the keyboard unit around--or have it nearby. I don't get the love affair..."



The motion tablets aren't particualry powerful since they have to cram everything into one small unit. Whith this you have the advantage of a very powerful laptop and a light display which is comfortable to hold in one arm or on your lap while you draw. You can also be boring and use it like a regular laptop if you like :)



If you really need to walk around alot while your working (like at a factory) then a pure slate tablet such as the motion would be better.

[Basye Vortex @ Dec 23rd 2006 2:32PM]

This was bound to happen. Now it will be interesting to see a Tablet PC version of this, since obviously the detached display can be made into a pen-sensitive tablet, at the same time removing the extra bulk and weight of the keyboard.